Photo of ‘the stingrays and fish in the Amazonia House’ by PoPville flickr user Lauren PM

“Dear PoP,

What are some different, off-the-beaten-path, or other things to do in DC other than the usual monuments or museums? list can include free, paid, tours, restaurants, delis, wineries in the area, etc.”

Wow that’s a general question! But I like it. I like it because one person’s “off the beaten path” activity my be obvious to some but not to all. So I hope this will be a good repository for the fun not so obvious things to do around town. So the picture I chose above may seem obvious to some – the National Zoo is not exactly off the beaten path but I know tons of people who’ve never visited the Amazonia House – which is my favorite part of the zoo. Back in July ’09 we also had a general discussion of fun things to do – but I’d say we’re do for a refresh.

So for the Friday Question of the Day – let’s say – what are your top three not so obvious favorite things to do/eat/see in DC?

As far as I know, there is no direct bike trail access. you will have to navigate down onto Bladensburg road at some point if you’re coming from north or the south or Montana if you’re coming off the branch trail.

I just biked there from the NW last weekend, and found a really nice route. I’d recommend going south on the MBT to north on West Virginia. Turned on 17th then to Montana. It was a MUCH nicer ride than bladensburg or NY Ave

I don’t live in the city, but I do live a half mile from a trail that connects to the Northeast Branch and Anacostia trails. Looks like I can easily get to Bladensburg Road from the Anacostia Trail and follow that to the Arboretum.

Right now there is not a direct link from a bike trail to the Arboretum. As mentioned in this thread coming down Montana and Bladensburg Roads are a good alternative to New York Ave. I would definitely recommended using the R Street Gate (2400 R St. NE) rather than the NY Ave gate on a bike.

Friends of the National Arboretum is currently working to have a bridge built from the Kenilworth’s River Trail.

+1 for the Avalon. THE BEST theater in DC. Beating the uptown because you can drink beer and wine during the movies. Also because it is a nonprofit theater you dont have to sit through all the god aweful commercials and army recruitment ads they have at other theaters. The only problem with The Avalon is they dont always get the best movies but they did have True Grit. Also right down the street from it is Potomac Video. The best video store in DC. For those of you who still enjoy browsing 1000’s of cult and old school horror movies.

I entirely agree! We often stop at the Fish Market after a day of touring the city to buy a few dozen crabs. We love spending the evening sitting on the deck with our out-of-town visitors drinking beer and picking crabs.

The Renwick Gallery aka the Smithsonian Folk Art Museum. It’s on the well beaten path of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but almost everyone, tourists and locals, overlook this fantastic gallery. Two words, Ghost Clock.

Hiking Roosevelt Island.
Cycling to Mt. Vernon, but stopping in the park right before it and watching the glistening water on the Potomac.
Billy Goat Trail.
Drum circle a meridian (or at leas the fountains on a sunny day)
Rock Creek Park/Beach Drive.

-the exorcist stairs in georgetown
-flip-it bakery theres one in nw (Georgia ave in petworth) and one in ne (on bladensburg)
-wasabi sushi 1 block from the faragutt north metro) it’s a katon style sushi bar where the food is on a convaer belt and rotates through and you pick your plates based on price designated by color theres also a menu just in case you want something else

Spoken like someone who has never really been to Baltimore. So many great things to do, great restaurants. The JFX farmers market, blue moon for pancakes, walk around Hampton. It’s great for a weekend out of uptight DC.

– Canton (almost unrecognizable from 20 years ago, but a fun place to stroll around)
– Federal Hill antique shops and the market, lots of great restaurants
– Fort McHenry
– Walters Art Gallery (worth the drive all by itself)
– Gunpowder state park just north of the city

The list goes on. If all you’ve ever seen of Baltimore is the touristy Inner Harbor and the surrounding downtown business district, then yeah, I guess it sucks. If my only impression of DC was walking down K St from 22nd to 10th I would think it sucked, too.

baltimore is awesome. the kinetic sculpture race is this weekend. nothing that interesting or creative takes place in dc (without it turning into a major ‘scene’) and they have huge city-wide events like that multiple times a year.

Baltimore is a great place to visit — living there may be another story, but I’m not qualified to address that. Everything that everybody said in its defense. Plus, being a fan of neither team, I nonetheless would much rather go to a Ravens game than a Redskins game (downtown of a big city vs. Landover … pretty easy call in my book).

Following the cops around my neighborhood when they bust someone. Who wants to wait for “Cops” on Saturday night when it’s commercial free right in your own back yard! I use the police scanner iphone app for the full commentary.
Its great when there are four or five of us gathered. The arrestee must feel famous.

They are behind the Maintenance Yard. From the M.Yard parking lot you can walk along the fence line on the west side of the yard. At the end of the fence turn left; It’s like Community Forklift in the woods

I love going to the silent drill platoon at 8th and I (and not just because I’m married to a Marine). It’s absolutely amazing to see them perform and in DC, they do it every Friday in season. Go on the Friday of Memorial Day for a performance with more meaning, but any time you go, it’s great.

You can also call an office on the Hill for them – they have a few in the USMC offices there. AND you can just wait for them to fill the seats and they backfill with those waiting – which is a perfect thing to do if you are in the neighborhood and don’t mind waiting. Then you don’t have to sit on the benches for that time!

The performance at Iwo is great, but the history at the Barracks makes the 8th and I performance more special – the Commandant’s house is gorgeous when they light it up at night.

Early morning Bluebucks pancakes at Eastern Market lunch counter, then strolling through the neighborhood (sometimes they have free guided tours). Eden Center. Bangkok 54 for some very good Thai Food. Fort Dupont Ice Rink

The update is quite nice – no more of that translucent plastic obfuscating the view – and the look is generally cleaner. However, it’s now very VIP-ish in its feel. You know the drill: ropes to the elevator, guys in suits and earpieces directing people, etc, and you’ll be hard pressed to get a spot to sit (all reserved for bottle service or parties) once it gets to be cocktail or happy hour. But, still recommended if you want a nice view of the mall and downtown.

For a place with a great view that’s more low-key, the rotating sky bar at the DoubleTree Hotel is a nice place to grab drinks and enjoy the view, especially with out-of-town guests. Unfortunately it’s in Crystal City, but its location keeps it from being swamped with people.

The W has turned it into a South Beach style lounge. It’s not the same at all, but the food and service are much better. Good place for a girl’s night out or a birthday round of drinks. No longer a good place to ‘drop by’ without a reservation, and you end up at Old Emmitt.

Most of mine has already been said, but I’ll add President Lincoln’s Summer Cottage to the mix. (Not totally off-the-beaten-path for those of you who live nearby, but also not something every tourist runs to.)

Yes, the Rockville range is crazy overpriced. Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly [not too far from Dulles] is a great range for beginners. Friendly & non-intimidating staff, good first-timer classes and you can rent a wide range of target or semi-auto pistols for use at their indoor range:http://www.blueridgearsenal.com/
The NRA range is definitely the nicest in the area, so if you have a friend to give you the basics & bring the hardware its the best spot, but you need to go with someone who knows their sh|t.

1) The “Fort” Parks- there are hidden but well maintained trails all over DC in practically every neighborhood that suggest you are in the middle of the country, not the city. (Beyond just Rock Creek, of course). No other city has this.

The Circle Fort Trail. Runs from far NE, near Minnesota Ave metro, all the way down to the Anacostia museum, about 8 miles. Beautiful hike–there are large sections where you’d never know you’re in a major city.

George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria. Fantastic view of the entire area from the upstairs observation deck, and fun creepy masonic art.

So many favorite off the beaten path places in DC! Here are a few…
1. Botanic Garden on the Mall
2. View from Old Post Office Tower
3. C & O Canal trail
4. Community gardens in DChttp://www.gardenrant.com/dc_urban_gardeners/community_gardens/
Check out the Peabody garden and the one in Rock Creek Park
5. Kenilworth as mentioned by others
6. Brazil exhibit at the National Zoo
7. Drum circle at Malcolm X Park for sure
8. U St. fleamarket
9. Takoma Park farmers market
10. Of course Eastern market (but not so off the beaten path)

Since most people have mentioned places, here are a few activity ideas (I don’t know if they qualify as off the beaten path, but they’re not the run-of-the-mill touristy stuff either).
Embassy open houses every spring
Free neighborhood walking Tours (spring and fall)
Film festivals at the AFI in silver spring (silverdocs, Latin american film festival)
Cheese classes at the Cheesetique (technically in VA and not DC, but worth the trip)
Fete de la Musique at the French embassy (June)
Phillips after 5